Childish Wisdom: Moments of Insight That Resonate Through the Years
Children have a unique ability to ask questions that pierce the soul and provoke deep reflection. They often see the world in a way that adults sometimes forget. Here are some windows into childhood that reveal insightful perspectives which have stayed with me.
A Childhood Encounter at Castillo San Cristóbal
Years ago, while I was strolling through Castillo San Cristóbal, one of the two forts near Old San Juan, I paused to look at the so-called "wall art." This was a depiction created by a condemned enemy sea captain before his execution. The room was small, with a single small slit of a window. As I was imagining the gruesome fate of the poor soul, a little girl, two or three years old, who was just passing behind me, loudly exclaimed, "SPOOKY." Indeed, it was quite eerie. Her observation stuck with me because it was both accurate and unfiltered by the complexities of adult thinking.
Lesson on Impulsiveness and Brain Function
I work in a school where dealing with children's impulsiveness is a common challenge. To explain this concept, I often use the analogy of having two brains: the lizard brain, which reacts immediately, and the human brain, which can take a moment to make better choices. This is why we should always take a breath before responding.
One of my students, after weeks of learning about this concept, asked me, "Are there ways to beat the impulsive drive?" This question challenged me to think beyond the basics and to consider more sophisticated strategies for managing impulsiveness in children.
A Thought-Provoking Question from a Bereavement
After my father’s death, I was staying with some cousins and feeling quite down. I was drinking a lot, but not in a way that was inappropriate. One of my cousin’s children, upon noticing my solitude, looked at me and asked, "Uncle Leonard, are you sick?" This question, though innocent, touched me deeply and reminded me of the fragility and interconnectedness of life.
Given the complexity of the circumstances, it was a simple yet profound question that lingered in my mind and reinforced the importance of being present and empathetic in our interactions with others.
The Curious Question about Composition
One sunny morning, my husband and I were driving our two little boys to the beach in our picturesque beach town, Durban, South Africa. At a red light, I noticed that my three-year-old son was fixated on the driver next to us, who was busily picking his nose. As we drove away, I anticipated that my son would have a question soon.
True to form, he asked, "Daddy, what is everything made out of?" This question, posed shortly after his fourth birthday, reflected a childlike wonder and an innate curiosity about the world. It struck me as interesting that a small child would contemplate the composition of everyday objects, recognizing that they are made of something smaller.
Conclusion
Children offer us a unique lens through which to view the world. Their questions, often stemming from a place of pure curiosity, can be both simple and profound. It is a reminder for us to keep our own senses of wonder and curiosity alive, as we navigate the complexities of life.